A Subcommittee of the Benefits Committee has been appointed to raise the possibilities and awareness of disease management. The initial effort is to bring into focus some information concerning diabetes. Approximately 5.2 million Americans have the disease and don't even know it. Are you at risk? If you can answer "yes" to even one of the following questions, then you should consider being tested.
- Are you over the age of 45?
- Do you have a sibling or parent with diabetes?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you have high cholesterol?
- Do you weigh more then the charts say you should?
- Have you had gestational diabetes?
- Are you of African-American, Latino. Asian or Native American descent?
Diabetes is a silent epidemic in the United States. If you would like more information, please try tuning in to D-Life Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. on MSNBC. It is a half hour program and this Sunday, August 19th, will feature Olivia Gelick and her dad, Brother Evan Gelick. Olivia recently testified before Congress in Washington, D.C. about finding a cure for diabetes. Her "Team Olivia" is participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "Walk To Cure Diabetes" on October 7th at the White Plains High School in White Plains, N.Y. You can go to www.JDRF.org, click on the "sneaker" and search for "Olivia Gelick" and become a sponsor of her efforts. Click here to download a flyer of this upcoming program.
Olivia and her family will be meeting with Local One endorsed U.S. Congressman John Hall today, August 17th to discuss support for diabetes research.
Diabetes is a very serious disease but great research is being done and, hopefully, a cure will soon be found. Please do not hesitate to call or email me at rscore@iatse-local1.org if you have any questions or concerns.
|
